COLUMBUS, Ind. – Nominations are now being accepted for the 2026 Edna V. Folger Outstanding Teacher Award. The deadline to nominate is 4 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026. The winner will be announced at the 2026 Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting.

This annual award is designed to raise awareness about the immeasurable influence educators have on their students, and to recognize educators as important community role models. SIHO Insurance Services, the Community Education Coalition, and the IU Columbus Center for Teaching and Learning are the sponsors.

Any full-time elementary or secondary school teacher or educator working in a public, private, or parochial school in Bartholomew County is eligible to receive the award. Classroom, special education teachers, certified educator

See Full Page